User:John Napier-Winch

JOHN NAPIER-WINCH: The Most Honourable Sir John Napier-Winch, The Lord Marquis Winch son of Hugh Napier Winch and Winifred Joan Winch of Nollamara was born John Napier Winch, and had his second Christian name of Napier hyphenated with his surname Winch by deed poll to Napier-Winch. Born December 1947 Subiaco. Western Australia. Lord Winch was knighted by His Exalted Highness Prince Jah, 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, India, (Patron for The Society of Ancient Martial Arts) as an Officer of the Order of the Banner in 1986, and again as a Grand Commander of the Order of the Banner in 1991. He was also granted the hereditary title of The Lord Marquis Winch on the 16th of October 1987. Socially Lord Winch prefers to be addressed by his Christian name John and not his title. John has been involved in martial arts for most of his life. He was awarded a 9th degree in Bujutsu-no-Karate, 5th degree in Ju-Jutsu, 4th degree in Iai-tameshi-giri-do (Japanese swordsmanship, long and short sword) 2nd degree Okinwan weapons (sai, tonfa & staff) 1st degree Judo and holds the title of Hanshi (Master-instructor), awarded to him by Master Tsuneyoshi Matsuno, Headmaster of the Takenouchi Hangan-ryu Matsuno-Kan, Kobe, Japan and the Shin-no Shinto-Ryu that was founded by Master Matsuno. This is not the original Shin-no Shindo-Ryu is is a new school. Master Matsuno was the first headmaster. The Takenouchi Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno Kan is a new school also founded by Master Matsuno who had trained in the original Takenouchi Hangan-Ryu under Master Nakajima. John has been President of the W.A. Karate Association (inc) 1973-1986 and a member since 1963, Vice President 1987-2005 and again President 2005-2008; President of the Traditional Shotokan Karate-do Association (inc) 1986-1989; World President of the Society of Ancient Martial Arts (inc) 1989-2014; President three times and Vice President twice of the W.A. Martial Arts Federation in the early 1980's, and again President 1993-96; Chairman of the W.A. Martial Arts Council 1974 -1995, Deputy Chairman  of the West Australian Martial Arts Board Steering Committee 1994-6. He also prepared the Martial Arts Control Bill for parliament. The Bill was not passed until it was revised in 2004. He was President for the Australian Martial Arts Federation 1996-99 and 2001-05. Vice President for the Sekai Budo Renmei 1995-97 and President 1998-2012. World Vice-President of the Kokusai Budo Koryu Kyokai, Japan founded by Master Matsuno, 1999-2005 and President 2005-2014. He was the first Australian to be permitted to train in Karate-do under Japan's most senior master, Sir Motonobu Hironishi senior student of Great Master Gichin Funakoshi father of Japanese Karate-do. (Sir Motonobu was knighted by Prince Jah as a Grand Commander). John was appointed to the position of senior instructor in Karate-do for the Shin-no Shinto-ryu of Osaka, Japan by Master Matsuno in 1991. In 2003 Master Matsuno retired from teaching and John succeeded as headmaster of the school. After the death of Master Matsuno in 2005 John succeeded as World Headmaster of the Shin-no Shinto-Ryu. The only Australian to gain this honour from a Japanese martial arts school and World Headmaster of the Takenouchi Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Winch school as second headmaster of both schools. Master Matsuno also appointed Master Crandell 2nd dan of the USA as 2nd headmaster to the Takenouchi Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandell School. Both men are 2nd headmaster of this school with John Napier-Winch the senior instructor in the arts of this school. John is the only 2nd headmaster of the Shin-no Shinto-ryu and is titled Hanshi. John was a body-guard for many international stars from 1975 to 1986, the following were some of the people: Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jnr, Brian Ferry, Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, ABBA and KISS. A contributing author with Andy Fleming and William Brian to the book The History of the W.A. Karate Association, pub.2004. Public relations officer for the Nollamara Community Recreation Association 1974-1986. President of the Wanneroo Family History Centre 1988-99. Head researcher for the Toodyay Family History Group 1999-2003. President of the Nollamara Family History Society 2000-2005. Committee member for the Kinross Residents Association, 1994-96. A senior member of the West Australian Survival Skills Association. 1985-2012. Founding member of the W.A. Society of Automotive Historians and appointed chief archivist in 2005. Appointed President and chief archivist for the Historical Film & Video Preservation Society 2005. Secretary for The Australian Museum of Motion Picture & Television 2007. He was an adviser to H.E.H. Prince Jah from 1981 to 1995. Chairman for Witan Holdings Pty Ltd 1993-99, and Chairman of Westgold Mining and Resources Pty Ltd 1994-96. He was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1994, and has been included in "Who's Who in the World 1993-2001 editions; the "International Biographical Index" 1994 and the 1995 edition of "500 of the Worlds Most Influential People" also "The Australian Roll of Honour - Justices of the Peace" 1998. A Freemason.